Biology/age of fossils
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Question
How the age of plant and animal fossils is determined
Hi neha
There are different ways. One way is by noting their position in the layers of the Earth. A fossil may be excavated in a layer laid down foe example during the Jurassic period. Another way is by measurement of decay of radioactive isotopes. Carbon dating is often used. Stable carbon has a mass of 12 and radioactive carbon mass of 14. Living organisms contain a fixed ratio of C12 to C14. When an organism dies the ratio changes as more C14 degrades to C12.
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Answers by Expert:
Walter Hintz
Expertise
Science teacher for over 50 years. MSc. in biology. I can answer questions in general biology, zoology, botany, anatomy and physiology and biochemistry.
Experience
I have a MSc in biology and have been a science teacher for over 50 years. At present I am a faculty member at a college and a science consultant at seven catholic schools.
Publications
The Ohio journal of Science
Momentum-The Journal of the Catholic Education Association
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